 The Fagot 32' has been placed. The stop will soon be voiced on location by our staff.
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| Gereformeerde Kerk, Boven-Hardinxveld |
 The J.C. Schmidt/K.B. Blank organ (1813/1966) of the Gereformeerde Kerk in Boven-Hardinxveld will be modified and enlarged in the spring of 2012. The organ case is hereby expanded to include two additional fields to accommodate the enlarged pedal. The positive will mainly get new pipework as the existing pipework is in completely different scale compared to the historic Schmidt pipes.
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 The contract has been given to construct the reserved Fagot 32'. The resonators are made from mahogany as well the boots. The resonators are made in half length (16 foot length) and features brass voicing caps.
The photo shows the test setup in the workshop.
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 The Leeflang organ (18IIP, 1963) recieved a re-voicing. In the original configuration a major part of the stops were not used because their sound experience was unpleasant. Besides the re-voicing some stops were changed (Hoofdwerk chamade Trumpet and Mixture composition) or replaced (Sharp and Rugwerk Tertiaan). A more carrying and milder sound was achieved, special attention was given to the aggressive speech of the principals and mixture. Acting consultant was Wietse Meinardi. January 27 at 20:00 as the organ will be officially taken into (re)use.
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Naji Hakim: "it looks like a Cavaillé-Coll, it sounds like a Cavaillé-Coll,
it feels like a Cavaillé Coll".
Now assembled in one of our assembly halls... playable and ready to receive
organists and organ committees interested to purchase this virtually new
organ...
Download brochure.
Hear the organ:
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| Chr. Geref. Kerk, Oud-Beijerland |
 The Verschueren organ from the Morgensterkerk in Dordrecht will be placed in the Chr. Geref. Kerk te Oud-Beijerland. The organ will be enlarged by 4 manual stops. In addition, the organ case will be adapted to the new situation. The relocation will start on February 10.
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Recent works archive.
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| Inauguration organ Musikum Hallein |
On november 13 the new Van den Heuvel organ (11/IIP) at Musikum Hallein was inaugurated. The organ was played by Organist/consultant Gottfried Fallenegger.
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| Recording Naji Hakim at Copenhagen |
Well known concertorganist and composer Naji Hakim (Paris) has recorded at the new Van den Heuvel organ in the DR-BYEN concerthall (Danish Radio). The program consist purely of compositions by Naji Hakim. The recording was made by the Danish Radio and is used for broadcastings. The program is now released on cd by the SIGNUM Classics label.
Naji Hakim during recording sessions at Copenhagen
"The DR-Van den Heuvel-organ is sure one of the best concert organs in the world. Its majestic and colourful symphonic characteristics as a solo instrument complement and rival the forces and nuances of a symphony orchestra.
I am sure that this royal instrument will inspire organists, conductors and composers to give joy to many listeners.”
Naji Hakim
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| FIRST CD OF THE VAN DEN HEUVEL ORGAN AT KOPENHAGEN |
With a circulation of 11.000 the first cd recording of the new Van den Heuvel-organ at the concert hall of the Danish Radio is released. Gerben Mourik demontrates the many possibilities of this symphonic concert organ (with its 91 stops the largest organ of Danmark) with a very diverse program.
1. Intrada
The first improvisation showcases the sololistic sound of the Recit reed stops, the Tubas and the 16’, 8’ and 4’ pedal reed stops (without Bombarde 16’). Several rhythmic devices point ahead towards the Gershwin Rhapsody.
2. Evocation from the 16th Century
This is an homage to 16th-Century medieval wind music. The middle section (with its Grand-Orgue and Postif mixtures; the Pédale on its own with 16’, 8’, 4’ and Mixture) allude to the harmonies more common in the 17th century.
3. Concert Fantasia on Three Themes from Tchaikovsky & Liszt
This Concert Fantasy is based on a theme from Tchaikovsky’s fifth symphony and two themes from the Heroide-Elégiaque – a work for piano by Franz Liszt.
In this improvisation the organ is treated as a symphony orchestra; the foundations resemble the strings, the reeds act as the woodwind and the Tubas as the brass. The three swell boxes make the sound swell in a measured way, as can be done so beautifully by an orchestra.
4. Prelude, Fugue, Intermezzo and Finale on “I Danmark er jeg fodt”
This improvisation makes the organ sound more like a French symphonic instrument. The theme is one of the tunes from the famous Danish song, “I Danmark er jeg fodt” [“In Denmark I was born”], which dates from 1926. The verses of this popular song were sung by the Danish Royal family and 1800 guests during the official inauguration of the concert hall and the organ on the 17th January 2009.
The Finale is a celebratory carillon which ends with the melody in the Pédale. This improvisation is an homage to Pierre Cochereau, the Parisian organist of Notre-Dame Cathedral, who died suddenly at the age of 59 in 1984 (twenty-five years ago this year).
5. Sonatine in G- Dur: Allegro, Adagio, Allegretto
This Sonatine reveals some of the smaller stops (particularly in the Positif and Solo). The themes emerged on the spot, and the style is that of the Viennese Classics.
6. Waltz (Theme: Verdi – Rigoletto)
Themes composed for opera can equally serve as inspiration for an improvisation. This waltz starts with an introduction, in which the Quintaton of the Positif can be clearly heard. The theme is played first by the Grosse Flûte and the Nasard of the solo manual (like real soloists). After a crescendo the waltz changes to common time, but it returns following a second crescendo.
The pedal produces the rhythm, much like the double basses in an orchestra, and also guides the changes in tempo that characterise the operatic style.
7 - 9 Three Impressions of Copenhagen: (Homage to Sigfried Karg-Elert)
These three impressions were conceived as a painting expressed with music. Impressions I and II particularly show off the strings (the organ’s ‘pastels’). One should simply experience this music. Several of the harmonic elements and stops used in these improvisations can be also be found in compositions by Karg-Elert.
10. Méditation
This free improvisation provides an “interval” in the programme. The Voix celeste is one of the stops that stands out in the middle section.
11. Gershwin: Rhapsody
Despite their jazzy sound, many of Gershwin’s musical and song themes are essentially classical pieces. This improvisation (a Rhapsody) is based on two famous Gershwin themes and sets out to showcase the many unusual sounds and combinations of the Van den Heuvel concert organ.
The piece culminates in a tumultuous Toccata – interspersed with ‘Summertime’, now treated as a chorale – and a fanfare with the Tutti of the organ. Gerben dedicated this improvisation to his teacher and mentor Naji Hakim, who prepared him for taking part in – and winning – the International Improvisation Competition 2008 in Haarlem.
"Listening to Gerben Mourik's brilliant and varied improvisation programme is testimony that the DR Van den Heuvel organ is certainly one of the best concert hall organs in the world.
Its majestic and colourful symphonic characteristics as a solo instrument complement and rival the forces and nuances of a symphony orchestra.
I am sure that this royal instrument will inspire organists, conductors and composers to give joy to many listeners."
Dr. Naji Hakim
More information on Naji Hakim: www.najihakim.com
Gerben Mourik (1981) completed his Bachelor and Masters degrees with Bram Beekman (literature) and Henco de Berg (improvisation) at the Brabant's Conservatorium in Tilburg. He also took private lessons with Ben van Oosten, Ansgar Wallenhorst and Naji Hakim. Gerben has won, among other accolades, three first prizes in improvisation competitions in Zwolle (2003), St Albans (2005) and Haarlem (2008), the last of which was awarded unanimously by the judges. He is the organist of the Grote or St Michaelskerk in Oudewater.
www.gerbenmourik.nl/english
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| Gerben Mourik - Katarina Church, Stockholm |
 This cd was presented during Gerben Mourik's anniversary concert of 19 April 2008 in the Singelkerk, Ridderkerk.
Besides two improvisations works of Paul Damjakob, Jan Nieland, Alexander Guilmant, Joh. Worp, Sigfried Karg-Elert, Jan Bonefaas and Johann Sebastian Bach (arr. Louis Vierne) were recorded. Program notes in the booklet are in Dutch and English.
The cd can be ordered from Gerben Mourik's website.
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| Jan Hage plays Messiaen at Katijk aan Zee |
 In dedication of the Prof. Dr. G. van der Leeuw-foundation The ToccaTa label has released a CD (TTR 99015) with works of Olivier Messiaen played by Jan Hage on the Van den Heuvel-organ (1983, 80IVP) at Katwijk aan Zee.
The colourful stops of this in 1983 constructed organ can be heard in the well known compositions of "L'Ascension" (1934, Quatre méditations symphoniques pour orgue) and "Les Corps Glorieux" (1939, Sept visions brèves de la Vie des ressuscités).
Order: toccatatrr@hotmail.com
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| New CD Jean Guillou, Saint Eustache, Paris |
 The AUGURE label has released a CD (AUG-0701) with mainly improvisations of Jean Guillou, recorded during several masses in the first half of 2007.
Order: sfalcinelli@orange.fr
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| New CD Katarina Church, Stockholm |
 The English label Priory has a reputation as organ cd-label. In 2005 a recording was made of the Van den Heuvel organ in Stockholm.
The well known organist Marcus Torén played for the microphones a special program:
- André Campra/Virgil Fox: Rigaudon from Idoménée
- Erland von Koch: Cantilena e vivo
- Jean Langlais: Elévation-Fantaisie-Thème et variations from Hommage à Frescobaldi
- Hilding Rosenberg: Phantasy and fugue in C
- Johann Sebastian Bach/Virgil Fox: Arioso from Cantata 156
- Johann Sebastian Bach/Virgil Fox: Nun danket alle Gott from Cantata 79
- Jean-Jacques Grunenwald: Hommage à Josquin des Prés
- Harald Fryklöf: Symphonic piece
- Rolande Falcinelli: Variations-Etudes sur une berceuse
- Petr Eben: Finale from Sonntagsmusik
The CD is currently available as PRCD 852 Great European Organs No. 70.
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| Ton Koopman @ DR Koncerthuset, Kopenhagen |
The website of the Danish Radio has a recording of Ton Koopman playing the new Van den Heuvel organ. Performed are Bach's Pièce d'Orgue, Nun komm der Heiden Heiland and the Fuge in g-moll.
LINK
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| St. Eustache @ Youtube (3) |
| St. Eustache @ Youtube (2) |
| St. Eustache @ Youtube (1) |
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| Historical organs for sale |
Currently in one of our assembly halls a historical organ of Henry Williams (1875) is erected. The instrument has 13 stops including a reserved place. More info.
Please contact us for more information.
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| Queen Elisabeth visits St. Eustache organ |
Queen Elisabeth visits the organ of St. Eustache, Paris. Jean Guillou shows of the organ from the movable nave console.
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